2026 Winter Olympics: 5 Rising Stars to Watch
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo arrive with a new generation ready to rewrite record books. While legends like Mikaela Shiffrin and Johannes Thingnes Bø still compete at elite levels, younger athletes are pushing boundaries in ways we’ve never seen before. These seven rising stars could steal the spotlight when the games begin on February 6, 2026.
1. Gu Ailing (Eileen Gu) – Freestyle Skiing
Gu Ailing captured global attention at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, winning two golds and a silver at just 18 years old. Now 22, she’s entering her athletic prime with upgraded tricks and unmatched versatility across halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air events.
Her switch double cork 1440 remains one of the most technically demanding tricks in women’s freestyle skiing. Competitors struggle to land it consistently. Gu nails it under pressure. She trains between the U.S. and China, blending coaching philosophies from both countries into a hybrid approach that maximizes air awareness and landing precision.
Watch for her in all three freestyle disciplines. Gold in at least two events seems inevitable. Her biggest challenge? Managing expectations after Beijing’s meteoric success.
2. Marco Odermatt – Alpine Skiing
Swiss skier Marco Odermatt dominates giant slalom like few before him. He won Olympic gold in Beijing and followed it with three consecutive World Cup overall titles. At 26, he’s hitting peak performance years with the consistency of a machine.
Odermatt’s technique centers on perfect weight distribution through turns. While competitors lose speed on transitions, he maintains momentum by staying forward on his skis. His giant slalom runs look effortless, carving lines that seem physically impossible at those speeds.
The 2026 winter Olympics venue in Cortina d’Ampezzo features steep, technical courses that suit his aggressive style. Expect him to challenge for gold in giant slalom, super-G, and possibly downhill. He’s the closest thing to a sure bet in alpine skiing.
3. Jordan Stolz – Speed Skating
American speed skater Jordan Stolz turned professional at 18. One year later, he won three gold medals at the 2023 World Championships. His explosiveness off the start line and power through straightaways put him in a class of his own. He aims at four medals, one from every speed skating event he enters. “I would like, obviously, in the best case scenario, to have four medals,” Stolz said at a Team USA press conference on 4 February.
Stolz trains in Wisconsin, perfecting technique on indoor ovals that simulate Olympic conditions. His 500-meter time of 33.68 seconds ranks among the fastest ever recorded. In longer distances like the 1000 and 1500 meters, he maintains top-end speed better than skaters a decade older.
The 2026 Winter Olympics events in Milan include all his strongest distances. He could sweep multiple golds in speed skating, something no American has achieved since Eric Heiden in 1980. His youth and hunger make him dangerous in every race.
Read Also: 8 New Sports Debuting at the 2026 Winter Olympics
4. Erin Jackson – Speed Skating
Erin Jackson made history as the first Black woman to win Olympic speed skating gold at Beijing 2022. She’s back for Milan with improved starts and even faster times. At 32, she’s using experience to offset younger competitors’ raw power. Milano Cortina 2026 will be Jackson’s third Winter Games and the first time she competes in two distances, adding the 1000m to her signature 500m event. She arrives in Italy feeling healthy and confident after having learned to “deal with” lingering injuries in recent seasons.
Jackson’s story inspires athletes worldwide. She switched from inline skating to ice skating in just four months before qualifying for the 2018 Olympics. That rapid adaptation shows her natural feel for the sport. Now, with years of elite training, she’s refined every technical detail.
Her 500-meter specialty requires perfect execution. One mistake costs hundredths of a second that separate gold from fourth place. Jackson thrives under that pressure. Look for her to defend her title when do 2026 Winter Olympics start on February 6.
5. Su Yiming – Snowboarding
Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming won big air gold at 17 years old in Beijing. His amplitude and style on jumps set him apart from competitors who prioritize technical difficulty over aesthetic execution. He makes impossibly high rotations look smooth.
Su trains on custom-built jumps in China that replicate Olympic specifications. His coaches use video analysis to optimize takeoff angles and landing positions. The result? Consistent podium finishes across World Cup events in both big air and slopestyle.
The 2026 winter olympics venue in Cortina features a slopestyle course with massive features. Su’s ability to link tricks across multiple jumps gives him an edge. He could become the first snowboarder to win back-to-back Olympic golds in big air while adding slopestyle hardware.
How to Watch 2026 Winter Olympics Rising Stars
These athletes compete across multiple venues and dates. SuperSport provides African viewers with comprehensive coverage. Streaming platforms like Peacock and Discovery+ offer event replays for time zone flexibility. Follow Olympic social media accounts for highlight clips and behind-the-scenes content.
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6 at San Siro Stadium showcases all competing athletes. It’s your first chance to see these rising stars before they chase history.
Which Rising Star Will Shock the World?
Every Olympics crowns unexpected champions. These five athletes have the talent and preparation to dominate. But winter sports reward risk-takers who deliver when it matters most. Who will rise to the moment and who will crack under pressure when the 2026 Winter Olympics begin?